Hydrothermal Synthesis of Calcium Borate Whiskers

Abstract

A type of calcium borate whiskers with highly thermal stability was synthesized by hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 2 h, using borax, calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide as raw reactants. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) indicated that as-prepared products were composed of monoclinic Ca2B2O5·H2O phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed calcium borate whiskers with a length of 50~100 μm and diameter 1.0 ~3.0 μm. Selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern showed that the calcium borate whiskers were single crystalline structure. The adjustment of temperature of hydrothermal reaction, can lead to obvious morphology changes of products, and the possible chemical reaction and growth mechanism were proposed. Furthermore, the analysis of thermogravimetry (TG) showed the calcium borate whiskers released crystal water at 370~425 °C.